The Business Council's 26th annual Industry-Environment Conference will take place Oct. 15-17 at the Sheraton Saratoga Springs.

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Erin Crotty, commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

In addition, the conference will feature presentations by the nine DEC regional directors.

The conference will focus on critical state regulatory issues as well as compliance strategies and strategic planning, said Ken Pokalsky, The Council's director of environmental and regulatory affairs.

The conference is designed for executives and environmental managers at any business that must comply with environmental regulations or help other firms comply, Pokalsky said.

Participants typically include managers from manufacturing firms, businesses that handle or produce hazardous materials, and environmental management consultants, he noted.

Workshops on many topics will be led by experts from Council members and other government agencies. All workshops will be repeated at least once.

This year's agenda will include sessions on brownfield legislation, air emissions trading, Great Lakes programs, and other issues.